Species diversity and infestation indices of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritedae) in guava ecosystem of southwest Haryana

The fruit flies are major pests of fruits and cause direct damage to guava fruits which has great impact on quality and quantity of fruits. In the present study, fruit fly diversity and infestation indices in guava fruits were investigated. Pheromone traps were installed, captured adults of species were examined and diversity was recorded. Two species viz Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel and B zonata Saunders were found in guava ecosystem in southwest Haryana. During the study, 1,179 specimens of fruit flies were collected from the traps and 179 from the fruits. The results revealed that B dorsalis was dominant species over B zonata which were 55.13 and 44.87 per cent respectively. While studying fruit fly diversity from infested fruits, 57.22 per cent of flies were those of B dorsalis and 42.22 per cent of B zonata. The mean pupal viability was found 52.49 per cent for entire observation period. The infestation indices were 45.88 pupae/kg and 7.8 pupae/fruit recorded during 2^nd fortnight of September 2020.